Relaunches on recovery.

[Hightower]

I'm sure that many on here power recover their RIBs by driving up the trailer and then fastening the winch strap by leaning over the bow.

This is the way I've done it for years with very little problem. However I remember that when my trailer was new I used to have to hold the RIB up the trailer under power whilst I ran forwards to attach the Winch hook before reaching back and knocking the outboard out of gear. This obviously took a little time, but time enough for me to pick up minor damage on my prop from stones being picked up by the prop turbulence.

As years have gone by the rollers have gradually seized up little by little, helped with a little oil along the way to prolong them. With the extra friction I've not needed to hold my outboard in gear before attaching the winch as the RIB doesn't try to relaunch itself. But time has come to swap out my old rusty washers and replace with shiny new ones. Thus meaning I have to go back to the aged old problem of holding the RIB under power thus risking damage my prop.

I was wondering if there are any techniques of Solo recovery I haven't tried or thought of? I was thinking of making a catch mechanism to physically capture the RIB.

[Poly]

Andy, a catch mechanism would be nice - and I guess you might have the skills and tools to make something. However I think somewhere on this site there is a crude approach that might work for you. Essentially there is a tall bracket temporarily mounted to the winch post that hangs over the boat. On the end of this bracket there is a loosely fastened rope which the helmsman can reach up and grab. The other end of the rope is secured to the trailer. I think the "bracket" was actually made from spare blue water pipe and clipped to the side of the trailer during transit.

[Wibs]

I'm also interested in this Andy.


I do have chest waders that I use at certain sea states down at Warsash, but I'm always up for any new ideas.?

[Christycalch]

Most mastercraft ski boats are fitted with a spring catch on the winch post, when the boats winch eye reach's the device it shoots over and is locked in place, there is a 'brand' name on the device but i cant remember it off hand, if a mastercraft turns up here this week i'll make a note of it and let you know, works very well as its american!

[Hightower]

This is kind of what I had in mind. I don't want the expense of changing the Winch post too much and am pretty sure I can find the supplies I need in stainless. A bit of fabrication needed, but not too much. I'll have to wait till I get back to work and see what I can scrounge from the stainless scrap bin.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Christycalch

Most mastercraft ski boats are fitted with a spring catch on the winch post, when the boats winch eye reach's the device it shoots over and is locked in place, there is a 'brand' name on the device but i cant remember it off hand, if a mastercraft turns up here this week i'll make a note of it and let you know, works very well as its american!

There are brands on the market, mainly from Australia. But I'm not prepared to pay top dollar and am confident I can make something up for the cost of a beer or three.

[whisper]

Hi Andy, I too am looking at getting a device for launching and recovery.

So far I've found this on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZPH7WboTcQ&sns=em

[Hightower]

That's how I'm basing my one on. Bungee to act as my spring, some stops to prevent over traveling of the catch etc etc. They want something like $300 Aus dollars for that type which wouldn't fit my set-up without a lot of modification to the winch posts.

Best to take the suck it and see approach and build my own IMHO

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by Christycalch

Most mastercraft ski boats are fitted with a spring catch on the winch post, when the boats winch eye reach's the device it shoots over and is locked in place, there is a 'brand' name on the device but i cant remember it off hand, if a mastercraft turns up here this week i'll make a note of it and let you know, works very well as its american!

Malibu was also one of the first to use them. They are called "Boat Buddies". They work great most of the time, but when they fail...they FAIL and in a big way. The problem we have seen and experienced on friends trailers is the unit gets slightly bent and it won't come unlocked. In other words the boat is stuck on the trailer. So my personal opinion is don't get one.

BOAT BUDDY

If anyone does ever decide to use a Boat Buddy, I would recommend not towing with it latched, and that will help keep it from getting bent. Also the trailer must be a self centering trailer so the boat ALWAYS hits perfectly dead center.

[Low Flyer]

We had a trailer with scaffold pole welded vertically from winch post,so you just looped painter round,it work see really well. Also a great visual aid to lining up on trailer.


Sent from my iPad using RIB Net

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Low Flyer

We had a trailer with scaffold pole welded vertically from winch post,so you just looped painter round,it work see really well. Also a great visual aid to lining up on trailer.


Sent from my iPad using RIB Net

Yes, that's my backup plan. But to be honest I want to knock off the power asap so will persist with the catch idea.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Malibu was also one of the first to use them. They are called "Boat Buddies". They work great most of the time, but when they fail...they FAIL and in a big way. The problem we have seen and experienced on friends trailers is the unit gets slightly bent and it won't come unlocked. In other words the boat is stuck on the trailer. So my personal opinion is don't get one.

BOAT BUDDY

If anyone does ever decide to use a Boat Buddy, I would recommend not towing with it latched, and that will help

It shouldn't even be engaged whilst it's being towed. The winch strap and safety chain or strap should be used, thus taking the strain off the catch.

[Hightower]

Nice piece of 6mm SS 316 looking ripe for hacking up.

[whisper]

I guess that's your kitchen worktop and Mrs Hightower is out

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by whisper

I guess that's your kitchen worktop and Mrs Hightower is out

That's my home office desk.

[Hightower]

Nice shiney new washers just turned up. Can't wait till I get my trailer back to normal.

[Boatnomad]

RIB Recovery, how the other half do it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfwuQW6dJm0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQfGEn0ALbk